This paper deals with the Second Kamchatka expedition (1733-1743), and in particular with one of its participants: the naturalist and geographer Stepan Petrovich Krasheninnikov, author of the expedition report Opisanie Zemli Kamchatki [Description of the land of Kamchatka]. Krašeninnikov shaped his idea of life, history and knowledge thanks to this long adventurous journey, that cannot be considered as an arid geographical reconnaissance. In fact, this journey has in itself the official side of the XVIII century geographical explorations, but also the private one of a man who took some big risks to expand his horizon and to clarify his position in history and the position of his Country in the world.